The Impact of Genetics on Diabetes Type 2

Is diabetes Type 2 inherited or acquired? Considering the statistics, it is an important question to ask. The most recent figures from the CDC indicate:[1]

• Total: 38.4 million people have diabetes (11.6% of the U.S. population)
• Diagnosed: 29.7 million people, including 29.4 million adults
• Undiagnosed: 8.7 million people (22.8% of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed)

The answer to the question is not straightforward, however. Type 2 diabetes can be inherited, but environmental factors also play a role. For example, lifestyle, including the foods you eat and your exercise habits, can influence the onset of the disease. However, so can genetics.

Many genetic studies have demonstrated a clear genetic component to both diabetes and its complications. “The recent explosion of new genomic datasets, both in terms of biobanks (repository of biological material) and aggregation of worldwide cohorts, have more than doubled the number of genetic discoveries for both diabetes and diabetes complications.”[2]

Genetic mutations linked to Type 2 diabetes

There are numerous gene mutations shown to affect Type 2 diabetes, although the contribution of each is small. Generally, mutations of any gene involved in the control of glucose levels increase the risk of diabetes Type 2. Included in these are genes that control: [3]

• Glucose production
• Insulin production and regulation
• How high glucose levels are sensed in the body

If you have multiple gene mutations associated with Type 2 diabetes, your risk of getting the disease increases, as it does as well if you are prediabetic, have a family history of the condition, and have other health factors such as high blood pressure.[4]

Recent studies find more genetic links to diabetes and complications

A study published in Nature Genetics in May 2022 examined the genetic profiles of more than 180,000 people with varying ancestries. Through this research, they discovered 40 previously unreported genes that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.[5]

Another study published in Nature February 2024 represents the largest genome-wide (genome is all the genetic material of an organism) association study of Type 2 diabetes to date, providing new insights about Type 2 diabetes risk. It identified different variant clusters that contribute to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, providing insights about the different mechanisms that contribute to the disease. Genome-wide association studies have revealed some other interesting links between Type 2 diabetes and other conditions, such as diabetic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy (retinal damage due to diabetes).[6]

Such comprehensive genetic studies can lay the groundwork for some day being able to identify a person’s genetic risk for getting Type 2 diabetes.

[1] “National Diabetes Statistical Report,” CDC, Accessed June 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html

[2] Cole JB, Florez JC. Genetics of diabetes mellitus and diabetes complications. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2020 Jul;16(7):377-390. doi: 10.1038/s41581-020-0278-5. Epub 2020 May 12. PMID: 32398868; PMCID: PMC9639302. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32398868/

[3] Tabackman, Lia and the healthline editorial team, “Is Type 2 Diabetes Genetic?” healthline, April 7, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/genetics

[4]Ibid

[5] Watts, Erica, “Type 2 diabetes: New Study Identifies 40 more genes linked to the disease,” Medical News Today, May 20, 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/type-2-diabetes-new-study-identifies-40-more-genes-linked-to-the-disease

[6] Flynn, Hannah, “Largest study of its kind finds new genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes,” Medical News today, February 28, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/largest-study-of-its-kind-finds-new-genetic-risk-factors-for-type-2-diabetes?slot_pos=article_1&apid=&rvid=ff3682c0a5d675812854b627ce67e3a674b2214cecc85119663fda21af511fdaa